Jon Moss officiated the draw between Liverpool and Tottenham at Anfield

Referee Jon Moss has acknowledged he was ‘misguided’ in asking fourth official Martin Atkinson for assistance via television when awarding Tottenham’s first penalty against Liverpool on Sunday.

But a statement from Professional Game Match Officials Limited has otherwise backed Moss’ handling of the incident which saw Harry Kane fouled by Loris Karius.

Moss consulted with his assistant Eddie Smart to clarify whether Kane was offside as the ball came through to him before eventually awarding the spot-kick.

The statement read: “Jon Moss was in a good position to see that a Liverpool player deliberately played the ball before it fell to Harry Kane. He then correctly judged that Kane was fouled by Lorius Karius.

“Eddie Smart correctly sought clarification on whether Dejan Lovren had deliberately played the ball. His question created some momentary confusion when Eddie asked if ‘Lovren’ had touched the ball. Moss knew a Liverpool player had touched the ball but not that it was Lovren.

“He then asked a question to his fourth official Martin Atkinson and acknowledges that referencing ‘TV’ was misguided. Atkinson did not reply to the question and so had no involvement in the decision. For the avoidance of doubt, Atkinson did not view a television monitor and did not relay any information to the on-field officials.”